Bill Clinton to headline Delaney event

Former President Bill Clinton will headline a fundraiser this month for John Delaney, the Democratic candidate running for Congress in Maryland's competitive 6th District.

For Delaney, the visit couldn't be better timed. Clinton is riding a renewed wave of popularity among Democrats after his performance at his party's convention in Charlotte. The event will take place in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 16, The Sun has learned.

Clinton endorsed Delaney in the primary in early March -- one of a series of announcements at that time that helped the Potomac businessman build momentum and ultimately shift from the underdog to the front-runner in the race against state Sen. Rob Garagiola.

"I am a great admirer of President Clinton because during his presidency we had budget surpluses, we created 22 million jobs, and we grew the industries of the future," Delaney said in a statement. "I am truly honored to have President Clinton supporting my campaign by coming to this event."

The fundraiser, first reported by Roll Call, will take place at the home of David Bradley, the chairman and owner of Atlantic Media, which includes The Atlantic magazine. Bradley is a longtime friend of Delaney's and has followed the campaign closely -- including by making an appearance at a candidates forum earlier this year. Ticket prices for the event start at $1,000.

Delaney is running against incumbent Republican Rep. Roscoe G. Bartlett in a redrawn district that is now home to thousands more Montgomery County Democrats. Delaney has used his considerable wealth to boost his campaign, but he has also raised more money than Bartlett from individual donors.

It's not clear whether Clinton will hold any public events in tandem with the fundraiser.

Delaney, who co-founded a Chevy Chase bank called CapitalSource in 2000, has deep ties to the Clinton family. Delaney and his wife raised some $800,000 for then-Sen. Hillary Clinton's 2008 presidential campaign -- and he has given thousands more to Democrats nationally.

Former Clinton press secretary Dee Dee Myers was featured in a radio advertisement for Delaney during the primary, but the former president himself was never used in an ad. He did record an automated phone call for the campaign.